This recipe post has been updated on April 17, 2024
Cheesy Italian Dunkers! You get home from work. You’re tired. The kids have baseball tonight or soccer. Give yourself a break and make something simple for dinner. Everyone loves this simple meal.
These cheesy toasts are like the Italian dunkers that you would get in grade school lunch. They are easy to make and provide for a stomach filling experience. You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand to make this easy meal.
How To Make Italian Dunkers
Ingredients Needed
Just a few items are required to make this easy recipe.
First, an Italian baguette or some other hearty white bread. Sourdough bread works well for these. You could even use hot dog buns!
Butter and garlic powder is used to spread on the bread for added flavor. 
Then for dipping, marinara sauce of your choice.
Substitutions
- Use different cheeses. Here are some melty cheeses that could also be used: Gruyere, Havarti, Fontina, Muenster, Colby, or Provolone.
- For a pleasant variety, use a Mexican melting cheese such as Queso Fresco, Queso Quesadilla, or Oaxaca. Then serve with salsa dip on the side.
Step-by-step Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 400° F, (205° C).
Then, place the butter in a small bowl and melt in a microwave oven. This should take about 30 seconds. Stir in the garlic powder.
Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and brush the garlic butter on each slice. Generously top the bread with shredded Parmesan then Mozzarella. Be careful to not drop the cheese onto the baking sheet. Burnt on cheese is sometimes hard to clean off.
If desired, you could use a separate plate to spread the cheese then transfer the slice to the baking sheet. Also, you could line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and the cheese should be melting and starting to brown in 15 to 20 minutes.
Serving The Italian Dunkers
Serve with marinara sauce in a bowl on the side. Heat up the sauce slightly in your microwave for best flavor. Use any favorite jarred marinara sauce or make your own sauce using my easy marinara sauce recipe. You only need a cup or two.
To balance this meal nutritionally, serve a nice fruit salad on the side with strawberries, banana, blueberries, or pineapple.
Make this cheesy Italian Dunkers recipe and get those kids to their game.
Get all of my vegetarian dishes here – Vegetarian Dishes @Joe’s Healthy Meals
And be sure to check out these tasty Italian inspired recipes:
- Stove-top Italian Chicken
- Italian Seasoned Grilled Chicken
- Italian Sausage Lasagna Roll-ups
- Homemade Italian Sausage Recipe
Cheesy Italian Dunkers Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices Italian baguette, sourdough bread or other sturdy white bread
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tsp . garlic powder
- 4 oz . Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1-2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
- Put butter in a small bowl and place in microwave to melt, 30 secs. Then stir in the garlic powder.
- Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Then, lay out bread on the baking sheet and brush with the garlic butter, (one side only).
- Add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the bread then with the Mozzarella cheese.
- Place in the oven until the cheese is melted and is starting to brown, 15 to 20 mins.
- Heat marinara sauce on the stove top or in a microwave.
- Serve the bread slices hot with the marinara sauce on the side.
Notes
- Substitute the cheese with any good melting cheese of your choice.
- For a pleasant variety, use a Mexican melting cheese such as Queso Fresco, Queso Quesadilla, or Oaxaca. Then serve with salsa dip on the side.
Caitlyn
A delicious quick meal for a weeknight or a lazy night! I use hotdog buns and shredded cheese and my boyfriend loves them. Nostalgia. 🙂
Joe
Hi Caitlyn,
I’m glad that you found my blog.
Never thought of hot dog buns, but that sounds great. Super easy and tasty.
Thanks for commenting.
Joe